The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-09-01
A. McGREGOR ABROAD.
The DemoCra IS Chief Tries His Hand
With the Fishing Rcd.
He Mee's with Most Agreeable Surprise
by seeinG Rev. Duncan MoGreRor--
LArga and King Haco's Grava--
Robert Burns and AUD Ayr.

Quite a surprise, an agreeable one, be-
fell me Tuesday, the I'd, While walking
with my friends along the beach by the
west b; y at Dunoon, we came to where
were a group of children seated on the
gravel shore with several ladies' and gem
tlemen around, all engaged in singing
and other exercises We paused to en-
Joy the occasion, which we assuredly did.
when after short time the clergyman
in charge came up and addressed me,
asking if was not from America. Can
ton, Ohio, and if my name was not Nc
Gregor, Of course l answered according
ly and saluted him at once as Reverend
Duncan McGregor, ten or twelve wears
ago pastor for year of the Baptist
church at Canton. Before closing the ex-
ercises the reverend gentlemen referred
to American friends present, naming me
and my occupation, and calling on me to
say a few words, which l did, telling the
children and those present of the agree
able surprise in meeting so Unexpectedly
with the Reverend McGregor, who was
pastor of a church in my town in Amer
lea some years ago. l also tried to ad-
minister a little good advice to the chill
dren. saying that we had excellent Sab
bath schools in America, and that they
were generally we'll attended.
After the services we had chat about
various matters, the reverend gentleman
making earnest enquiries about his warm
friends in Canton, naming Mr.. Danner
and family, Mr.. collars, the late Mr..
Cook and others. We have had several
interviews since and we have attended
service in his church couple of times.
On Sunday his church was crowded to
oyerflowing and l am told that it is al
ways the case, He is evidently popular
us a preacher. He breaches in Gaelic
every Sabbath afternoon.
10 reach Largs from Dunoon we take
a steamer to Wemys bay and change, af-
ter an hours wait, to another boat to
Largs, seven miles further down, and
both on the opposite side from Dunoon.
Each trip cost sixpence, and all the
boats crowded with people. The amount
of travel is simply enormous, and the
boats are numerous, constantly plying
up and down. The Clyde at Largs is
ten or twelve miles wide. The town is
old, but all these coast towns are mainly
new, with grand stone houses, large and
small, some indeed, modern castles. Mr..
John Burns, of the Cunard line, has his
castle on a point above Wemys bay.
Largs is built on level ground along the
shore, with the usual lofty hills, with
rocks looking out here and there and
with mountains back. The situation is
quite secluded, and fine for bathing and
sailing. From here is fine view of the
Cumbrae island, and across are plainly
seen the peaks of Arran, an island be-
longing to the Duke of Hamilton, and
from which he gets the title of Earl of
Arran. The battle of Largs, between the
Scotch and Norwegians, took place in
1868, and the latter were defeated with
great slaughter, and their king, Haco,
was killed. The battle took place on the
southern portion of the plain on which
the town now stands.
Learning that King Haco's grave was
on Mr., Browns premises, and that he
was a free and generous gentleman, we
walked out to his place and passed
through a revolving gateway and pro-
ceeded up the romantic walk to the resi-
denCe. PerCeiving two ladies in the
front yard ready for walk, we APP
preached, made our bow, at which my
friend Mr.. Leggate quite accomplished; /;
and his daughter, Miss Grace, and his
fourteen year old son Thomas, who were
along, contributed not a little. Inform
ing the ladies at once that we were
Americans wishing to see Scotland, and
learning Mr.. Brown wasa well informed
and liberal gentleman, we took the lib
erty of coming in. The dies at once
welcomed us, saying Mr.. Brown had
gone to Glasgow, but they would give us
any information they could and show us
the grounds. They accordingly accom-
panied us to King Haco's,grave in an ad-
Ioining pasture field. Large stones were
around upright and large one on top all
Battle-axes and war imple-
ments had been got out of the tomb.
The elderly lady was Mrs. Brown, an
aunt, and the younger, Mrs. Foster,
niece. The ladies had an eye to business
in the absence Of Mr.. Brown, and told
us the former residence, occupied before
the fine new one was completed higher
up the hill, was now unoccupied and
would be sold cheap. They conducted
us down to the 'Knowe," as the resi-
dence was named, and showed us
through. 1t was fine, stone edifice,
well carpeted, all which would go with
The house. 1t commanded a magniti
cent view of the firth, that could not be
shut out, and the rooms were spacious.
The grounds around perhaps were two
acres, and there was a fen of fifteen
pounds sterling year. The lands are
1ot generally sold but only fened. Mrs
Brown was not sure whether the price
vas one thousand or sixteen hundred
pounds. l informed the lady that my
riend Mr.. Leggate was an enterprising
eal estate man in his city in America, |
md had warm side for his native land,
having been over three years ago, and
his time had Mrs .Leggate and five of |
lis children along with him. But our |
rain time was drawing near, and we
bid the ladies goodbye and
made tracks.
A boat run in the fine steamer Ivan
ZOE through the Kyles of Butte is a
omantic trip and the day, Wednesday
he Sd, being fine was quite enjoyable.
short stop was had at Rothesay and
onger one for a change of boats at Bro
lick in the isle of Arran. Here is
modern castle residence of the Duke of |
hamilton, which he seldom occupies
he run from Brodick bay to Ardrassan
axes about an hour and that lands us on
he other side, on the Ayrshire coast.
he Clyde firth is here some fifteen
niles wide. A few minutes railway ride
axes us to Saltcoats, fishing town
there formerly salt was made by evapor-
ton.
Happy are the travelling Americans
Tho can find such hospitable people as
ir. and Mrs Archibald Hay. Mr.. James
lay, brother, of Pittsburgh, and his
ccomplished wife were tarrying there,
aving come over early in June intend
1c IN uoil for bn,,,a ~, A,,0,,ot 10 Tho I